A Day at Project

Located at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elderly Services in Middlebury, Project Independence is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Every day is busy, every day is unique, but here’s what one recent day looked like:

6:30 a.m. Pam, transportation coordinator, opens the center. Irene W. calls to talk with Sylvia about her father’s rough night. “Can you see if he’ll take a long nap today?”

7:15 a.m. Emma, 84, arrives with her daughter who has to be at work early this morning. Breakfast begins. “I brought you a new supply of Mom’s pills.”

8:30 a.m. Participants enjoy breakfast. Family members have chatted with staff and left for their day at work or home. Amy and Sally, 96, discuss an article in the Addison Independent.

9:30 a.m. Our vans have returned, and 60 men and women settle in for good food and company.

10 a.m. Joanne, executive director, greets visitors from northern Vermont who want a tour and consultation on opening an adult day care center.

11 a.m. Betsy, 92, is walking outdoors with a volunteer. Dorothy, 86, is having her blood drawn. Harry, 61, is playing cribbage. Josie, 84, is reading today’s newspaper. Tom, 89, is enjoying a visit from his daughter.

High school jazz band performing in the Great Room.

Reading group in the den.

Whiffleball on our outdoor green.

Cooking club in the Lower Kitchen.

11:30 a.m. Nancy, social worker, meets with a family from Monkton. “How can we convince Mom that she has to accept help?”

1 p.m. “I’m calling from New Jersey. My grandmother is in Bridport and is getting confused. Can you help me?” John, RN, talks with a doctor about an 84-year-old participant with increasing sleep problems and poor balance.

2 p.m. Thirty newly arriving participants come in for afternoon/supper program. Vans head out to bring some morning participants home. Fifty people enjoy a mid-afternoon snack in the sunny dining room: Crackers, cheese, and juice.

2:30 p.m. Staff member brings Fred, 81, to Porter Hospital for an X-ray. “Can you pick up Louise at the hairdresser on your way back?”

3 p.m. Sam, 76, is napping. Robert, 75, is playing rummy. Anne, 84, is playing the piano. John, 83, is meeting with our nurse.

After-school program is visiting in the dining room.

Jeopardy game in the parlor.

Poetry writing in the den.

Pool in the game room.

4 p.m. Pat, social worker, meets with Eleanor, 85, who is depressed after the death of her husband.

Contact Info

Get Directions

Find your way to Elderly Services in Middlebury, Vt.

Job Opportunities

Elderly Services occasionally has openings for staff to assist with programming, support, or driving. Visit the Job Opportunities page to find out about job possibilities and fill out an employment application.